1. From Mrs Helen Taylor from Australia regarding her ancestors, Henry Townsing and his wife Johanna Broom.I am visiting the area over the next few weeks. One branch of my family came from Curry Rivel. They left in 1841 to migrate to Tasmania, Australia. The story of their migration is a little unusual and if you are interested in putting it on your website or a newsletter, I can give some details. Basically 13 men from Curry Rivel were contracted to work on one property in Tasmania in 1840/1. They all travelled together along with their families to Tasmania. It must have meant great changes for those left behind as Curry Rivel would have had a reasonably small population in 1840.

My query is concerning one of the families in that group. My ancestors, Henry Townsing and his wife Johanna Broom. They must have had family living in the town at some time, so I was wondering if anyone knows any information about Townsing or Broom or Tilly (Henry's mother) and if any are buried in St Andrews churchyard. Or if anyone in the area has any connections to those surnames?

2. From Ray AdamsA slightly obscure question, but I wonder if you could help me? My mother was evacuated to Curry Rivel during the war, with her mother and siblings. She thinks they lived in a place called Stanhope Cottages, which was at the edge of the village towards Langport. Would you happen to know if they still exist please? Looking at the map, it seems that the village has extended a little eastwards, so I wouldn't know where the edge of the 1940s village was. A picture would be tremendous.

More news from Curry Rivel

Our club continues to thrive and encourage new members to join our lively meetings.March saw our AGM and our first LADY Chairman was elected which is another innovation in the club following the admission of ladies a little over 4 years ago. Our other officers were also appointed for the year and our stalwart, Secretary Paul Crocker agreed to remain in post again, a font of knowledge, good...

On Thursday 28th February three of us (Laraine, Annette and Linda) attended the Southwest in Bloom (SWiB) Spring Seminar in Chippenham.The main reason for being there was to hear about the revised judging guidelines to be introducedthis year:In the past, marking was out of a possible total of 200 points.50% of those 200 points could be allocated to Horticulture;25% went to environmental...